Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, met last night with Pakistani President Mohammed Rafiq Tarar, to whom he conveyed greetings from his brother Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz. In a speech on the occasion, he referred to the Islamic ties linking the two countries and called for Islamic solidarity, underlining the importance of cooperation among Muslims. He commended Pakistan's development and growth in all sectors in the light of its implementation of the Islamic faith.

Crown Prince Abdullah went on to say that his current world tour has accomplished all its goals, adding that his talks in these countries covered not only bilateral relations, but Arab and Islamic issues, especially that of Al-Quds [Jerusalem]. He remarked that in the countries he visited there are Muslim communities that, thanks be to God, enjoy full freedom to perform their Islamic rituals, and affirmed that "Islam has spread, not with the edge of the sword, as wrongly perceived by some people abroad, but through its noble principles and high ethical values." The Crown Prince reiterated that those who try to link Islam with terrorism are liars, saying: "The religion of Islam has nothing to do with this phenomenon. Islam prohibits killing, aggression and denial of freedom. There are, however, certain individuals who are Muslim in name only or hide under the cover of Islam, who have their own agenda, and do not represent Islam in its true meaning." The official Saudi-Pakistani talks, which began today under the co-chairmanship of Crown Prince Abdullah and Prime Minister Sharif, will focus on Arab issues including the Middle East and Al-Quds [Jerusalem], as well as issues of concern to the Muslim world and the latest developments in the international arena. In his opening remarks, Crown Prince Abdullah conveyed greetings from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz to the Pakistani Prime Minister, and to the government and people of Pakistan, and expressed his appreciation for the hospitality accorded to him and his accompanying delegation, saying: "This is not something strange from our brotherly Pakistani Muslim people, who are very dear to us because we are brothers in Islam. This Islamic Republic of Pakistan has a special place in the heart of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques". Referring to his current world tour, Crown Prince Abdullah said: "During my visits to many countries, I have witnessed the conditions of our Muslim brethren, and I am happy to see them abiding by their true Islamic faith, working hard to preserve their Islamic heritage, and offering their religious rituals in ease and comfort."